diff --git a/changes.d/661.feat.md b/changes.d/661.feat.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62fa704b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes.d/661.feat.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+The GUI can now be launched in standalone mode even if `[hub]url` is configured, using the `--new` option.
diff --git a/cylc/uiserver/app.py b/cylc/uiserver/app.py
index 46abeab4..afe9aa3c 100644
--- a/cylc/uiserver/app.py
+++ b/cylc/uiserver/app.py
@@ -142,7 +142,9 @@ class CylcUIServer(ExtensionApp):
     cylc gui                  # Start the Cylc GUI (at the dashboard page)
     cylc gui [workflow]       # Start the Cylc GUI (at the workflow page)
     cylc gui --new [workflow] # Start a new Cylc server instance if an old one
-                              # has become unresponsive.
+                              # has become unresponsive, or, if the GUI has
+                              # been configured to launch via a centralised
+                              # hub.
     cylc gui --no-browser     # Start the server but don't open the browser
 
     ''')  # type: ignore[assignment]
diff --git a/cylc/uiserver/scripts/gui.py b/cylc/uiserver/scripts/gui.py
index 6aa86ca1..40a12c4c 100644
--- a/cylc/uiserver/scripts/gui.py
+++ b/cylc/uiserver/scripts/gui.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def main(*argv):
             '''))
         return
     if not {'--help', '--help-all'} & set(sys.argv):
-        if hub_url:
+        if hub_url and not new_gui:
             print(f"Running on {hub_url } as specified in global config.")
             webbrowser.open(
                 update_url(hub_url, workflow_id), autoraise=True